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Funding for Youth Development
Positive Experiences + Positive Relationships + Positive Environments = Positive Youth Development
PYD is an intentional, prosocial approach that engages youth within their communities, schools, organizations, peer groups, and families in a manner that is productive and constructive; recognizes, utilizes, and enhances young people's strengths; and promotes positive outcomes for young people by providing opportunities, fostering positive relationships, and furnishing the support needed to build on their leadership strengths.
The Interagency Working Group on Youth Programs developed a research agenda focused on positive youth development. Through a collaborative consensus-building process, representatives from federal agencies identified three research domains (conceptual issues, data sources and indicators, and program implementation and effectiveness) and key research questions that could benefit from future research.
PYD has its origins in the field of prevention. In the past, prevention efforts typically focused on single problems before they surfaced in youth, such as teen pregnancy, substance abuse, and juvenile delinquency.
Over time, practitioners, policymakers, funders, and researchers determined that promoting positive asset building and considering young people as resources were critical strategies. As a result, the youth development field began examining the role of resiliency - the protective factors in a young person's environment - and how these factors could influence one's ability to overcome adversity. Those factors included, but were not limited to, family support and monitoring; caring adults; positive peer groups; strong sense of self, self-esteem, and future aspirations; and engagement in school and community activities.
Researchers and practitioners began to report that young people who possess a diverse set of protective factors can, in fact, experience more positive outcomes. These findings encouraged the development of interventions and programs that reduce risks and strengthen protective factors. The programs and interventions are strengthened when they involve and engage youth as equal partners, ultimately providing benefits for both for the program and the involved youth.
Source: youth.gov
Foundation and philanthropic support for youth development from around the Web.
Foundation: Watertown Community Foundation
Watertown Community Foundation's Education and Youth Development Grant Cycle Opens March 2.Foundation realigned its grant program in 2025 to focus on three key areas: Essential Needs, Community...more
Every year, $500,000 of that state grant funds BUILD's violence prevention, gang intervention and youth development resources in Austin and Humboldt Park.Earlier this month, BUILD announced that...more
Rural Media is recruiting a Creative Youth Development Producer through the Rank Foundation's Time to Shine Leadership Programme.The role includes coordinating pilot youth podcast projects, helping...more
Keegan M.Bell, CFRE, has over 20 years of nonprofit leadership experience in education, youth development, and community advancement.He will play a key leadership role in advancing the Club's...more
The Mountaineer Area Council of Scouting America announced the honorees for the 2025 Distinguished Citizens Dinners.Craig Walker and William Wilmoth were recognized for their long-standing commitment...more
The Motivational Edge will receive support to expand its successful arts-based youth development programs.The funding ensures continued access to music, dance, visual arts, digital design, and...more
The 2025 Gulfshore Business Giving Guide: Business Gives Back highlights nearly 50 Southwest Florida nonprofits and their missions.The Guide features nearly 50 nonprofit organizations representing...more
Nasonville Dairy is inaugural 'WCMA Culture of Excellence Award' recipient.Nasonville employees serve in key roles across local and state organizations.The company contributes generously to...more
Marquis Who's Who Honors Stephen Gray Wallace for Expertise in Nonprofit Leadership and Youth Development.Wallace emphasized the growing impact of digital culture."We've known for a long time about...more
The Prebys Foundation is awarding $13.37 million to arts programs across San Diego County.The funds will be allocated across 61 San Diego arts and cultural organizations.The foundation aims to impact...more
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Community Foundation of Abilene
New York Community Trust
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San Diego Foundation
Community Foundation of Sarasota County
Manatee Community Foundation
Bloomberg Philanthropies
Delaware Community Foundation
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Key Biscayne Community Foundation
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